November Labour Market Statistics for Scotland

Unemployment in Scotland increased by 11,000 and stands at 166,000 in the period July to September 2015.

The Scottish unemployment rate is 6.0 per cent, which is above the rate of 5.3% as for the whole of the UK, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today.

The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said:

The labour market performance in Scotland is mixed with the number of people in employment at historically high levels but unemployment starting to move upwards.

We will monitor the gap with the UK unemployment rate while continuing to pursue our policies for a low tax and higher wage economy that will benefit Scottish workers.

Headline Statistics for the July to September 2015 quarter:

Employment in Scotland increased by 3,000 over the quarter, and by 9,000 over the year, to stand at 2,614,000

The Scots employment rate remained unchanged over the quarter at 74.1 per cent. The rate is just above the UK average of 73.7 per cent

Unemployment in Scotland increased by 11,000 over the quarter and increased by 2,000 over the year. The level now stands at 166,000

At 6.0 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is above the UK’s rate of 5.3 per cent

Economic Activity increased by 14,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,780,000. Also, the Economic Activity rate increased over the quarter to stand at 78.9 per cent

In October 2015, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 68,800

Latest Data for Scotland

Employment

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from July to September 2015 was 2,614,000. Employment was up by 3,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 9,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was unchanged on the previous quarter, and it was up by 0.3 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 74.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.

Unemployment

Unemployment in Scotland was up by 11,000 over the quarter July to September 2015 at 166,000. The level was up 2,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.4 p.p. on the previous quarter at 6.0 per cent, which is up 0.1 p.p. over the year.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), decreased by 1,700 from September to 68,800 in October 2015. The level is down by 20,200 on October 2014. The claimant count rate (JSA and Universal Credit) is unchanged over the month at 2.8 per cent, and is down 0.4 p.p. over the year.

Economic Activity

The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the July to September 2015 quarter was 2,780,000. This was up 14,000 on the previous quarter, and up 11,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.9 per cent, up 0.3 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.4 p.p. over the year.